Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-15

Die. GU salu Ina. you IOFtu Inc. anu
would always love me. Do you remem-
Der. Edtb?''
/ Certainly, John. But time changes
everything" she replied. Then with a
merry laugh she darted out of the sum
mer house. and tripped lightly toward the
house.
at was evident to me then that she did
not love me, and was afraid that | wanted
to keep her to her early vows. This
would not do under any conditions, and
so determined not to mention the SUBJ
ject to her again. If could get an APP.
pointment in the army, | would 60 West
and not meet her again, with her bewitcb
ing eyes and face.
| About this time the agitation between
the North and South was assuming great
importance, and the threatenings of war
became louder every dav. Father was
strongly in favor OF the South, and de.
clared that if his State seeded he would
shoulder musket and enis, himself. |
could not sympathize with hun. My
mother had been New York girl, and
Ter influence and my education a. West
Point combined to make me throw my
| voice in favor of the North. | could not
see the Justice of the South's demands,
| and tried hard to make father see it in the
same light but my efforts were only pro-
ductive of numerous quarrels between US.
We were both set in our opinions, and
would not recede an inch from the stand
we had taken. But I refrained from enter
| ing into conversation about the much
disputed question when | discovered that
! it was likely to create a rupture in the
family. and so we lived on happily togeth
er, although the news that reached us
from various parts of the country affected
us very differently. | hoped and trusted
that war might be averted, and the whole
question settled on the floor of Congress-
Father was different; mis- hot southern
blood was aroused, and he earnestly
desired to see the question decided al the
point of the bayonet. | did not know
Edith's opinions on the dispute, but | sup
posed from her cold actions toward me
that she sympahized with father One
day preached the subject to her, end had
my doubts settled.
edith" said. while standing in the
parlor. looking out at the green lawn In
front of the house, "this year, I'm afraid
will be an eventful one for us. | dread
lest war will be declared before the
olaFClf IuCotlou 10 oCluICu, duu Will nave
to leave, probably forever"
She looked baughtily toward me and
said, "And youp Where would you go
to the North and enlisp
81 would GO North" ! replied calmly,
but not to enlist. / shall remain neutral.
While my sympathies are with the North,
| | cannot fight against my own family
at is well that you have much respect
for those OF your own family" she re-
turned, coldly "but your flight would be
the acknowledgment of cowardice. You
are your own master, however,
| Her words and manner stung me to the
heart, and felt wild with anger and I'M
| certainty.
Edith" cried desperately ''do not
talk so. You know not what You are saw
ing. have my own convictions as we'll
as you. and | cannot give them up; it is
not right that should. How strong they
are. you can Judge, when l say that
would give up my home and family and
| all rather than surrender them like
weakling. You would not. could not re-
spect me if did. You, who are sostrong
in your own mind. would despise me if
should prove such a coward. You know
that my heart is here with those whom
am bound to love, and you-Edith, love
you-love you madlv."
She gave dsdainful wave of her hand,
and motioned me to stop. Her brilliant
eyes seemed to shine with fire. and her
bosom pulsated with strong emotion.
81 want to hear no more. Go, and seek
safety on some neutral ground. But
shall remain at my post"
'She hurried out of the room as she
said this. and left me alone. l remained
seated near the window until after mid
night. and then | turned YEARLY to my
room.
The next week the firing on Fort
Sumpter was flashed on the wires over the
country. and | knew the long-dreaded
separation was at hand. The events of
the next few weeks followed rapidly, one
after another. and the North and South
were facing. each other in deadly conflict.
My views of the struggle were well known
around here, and as passed through the
streets | was pointed out as man worthy
of death. As the intensity of the conflict
became deeper and the hatred more bitter,
| found that | would have to seek othel
quarters than my native village; and so
packed up my things and started for New
York. 1t was my intention to stay there
in comparative seclusion, and watch the
fight of my own country. The idea of
enlisting and going to fight against my
own relatives seemed too horrible to me to
| entertain tor moment. | baniShed the
thought as soon as it entered my head;
but it was difficult TO remain quiet when
the whole country was excited and every
day brought reports of terrible conflicts.
Somehow it leaked out that | was a
graduate from West Point. after staying
| ing in New York for month or two, and
| was beset on every side by my friends
to take charge of a volunteer regiment
jus, starting for the South. This refused
10 do; but my refusal did me but little
good. was soon drafted for the army.
and i, was impossible for me to purchase
my release. had to accept my fate. and
return once more to the country which
| had fled from. not as a friend, but as an
enemy.
I'VE were hurried rapidly from one
point to another, and although we did
considerable marching and maneuvring,
we were not compelled to face the enemy
in open battle. My regiment was COM
posed principally of New Workers who
were expert riflemen, aud we
were held in sort Of reserve in case of an
emergency. We had never been in active